Police have arrested two Far North men aged 33 and 19 years in relation to this incident. They both face a joint charge of assault and will be appearing in the Kaikohe District Court later today.

The NZ Transport Agency reports that nearly 16-thousand customers have opened accounts to use the SH1 Northern Gateway Toll Road since the system became available from early December, 2008.

Auckland city's Eastern beaches have been declared safe for swimming after water quality was temporarily affected at Okahu and Mission bays following on from power outages in the Eastern suburbs.

Lower Hutt Police are seeking witnesses to a fatal crash involving a motorcyclist and a utility vehicle on the Hutt Valley side of Haywards Hill Road, SH 58, this morning.

Auckland, Feb 5 NZPA - The Auckland SPCA is calling for the maximum jail term for a man convicted of wilfully cruelty to a dog.

Thames-Coromandel District Council issues record number of licences to concessionaires

The number of commercial operators on Peninsula beaches rose dramatically this summer and has reached its maximum for the communities of Hahei, Opito Bay and Cooks Beach.

Auckland, Feb 5 NZPA - Brian Aim says he hasn't lost his love of New Zealand, despite his daughter's brutal slaying in Taupo.

Scottish tourist Karen Aim, 27, was killed when walking home alone from a Taupo nightclub early on January 17 last year.

"The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation is calling for an immediate freeze on all local and central government charges "Exporters are hurting and the pain has to be shared by sectors which are sheltered from international competition.

Westport, Feb 5 NZPA - The wife of killer and white supremacist Hayden McKenzie was given a second chance in Westport District Court today, due to stress resulting from his conviction.

Auckland, Feb 5 NZPA - The father of slain Scottish tourist Karen Aim still has questions about her death, after a youth today was convicted of her murder.

Jahche Te Manawa Kaha Broughton, 15, pleaded guilty in the High Court at Auckland to murdering Miss Aim in Taupo 13 months ago.